James McFadden is still interested in signing for Celtic despite a proposed
move to his boyhood heroes falling through last year.

McFadden, freed by Everton at the end of last season, has been training with former club Motherwell and will play in Stevie Hammell's testimonial match against the Goodison Park side at Fir Park on Saturday.

The 29-year-old forward was thought to be on his way to Celtic last October but while he was reluctant to explain why that deal fell through, he admits he has not given up on the chance to play for the Hoops.

McFadden said: "It is something that would appeal to me but whether it is a possibility, I don't know, you would need to ask somebody at Celtic.

"I don't want to go into it (previous link with Celtic). There was a wee bit of a mix-up.

"But if anybody comes to speak to me, I will speak to them, I wouldn't rule anything out.

With Celtic's Old Firm rivals Rangers being entered into the Irn-Bru Third Division, the newco club had their SPL application rejected, many feel a run in the Champions League is required to give the Celtic Park faithful big fixtures this season.

Celtic face Ajax in a pre-season friendly on Saturday, with matches against Inter Milan and Real Madrid also lined up.

Motherwell reached this stage due to the liquidation of the oldco Rangers and will be huge underdogs no matter which opponent they are drawn against tomorrow.

Rangers will be included in Friday's Scottish Communities League Cup first round draw.

The newco club are still waiting to discover if they will be granted Scottish FA membership.

But they are one of 30 teams listed, along with Dundee, who have been elevated to the Scottish Premier League for next season.

First Minister Alex Salmond will assist with the lunchtime draw at Stenhousemuir's Ochilview Park.

First round games are scheduled to be played on Aug 4, the day the SPL kicks off - with Dundee due to visit Kilmarnock, who are the cup holders.

Dunfermline and the SPL clubs not participating in European competition will enter at the second round stage, with Celtic, Motherwell, Dundee United, Hearts and St Johnstone joining in the third round.

Rangers have been dealt another blow with the news that striker Kane Hemmings has been ruled out for up to five months following knee surgery.

The 21-year-old striker moved to Rangers from Tamworth in 2008 and made five first-team appearances last season.

Hemmings has had two previous knee operations and his absence will put a further strain on manager Ally McCoist's already thread-bare squad.

The Scottish Football League has approached broadcasters with a package to show up to 25 live Rangers matches in Division Three next season.

However, any deal cannot be finalised until the Scottish FA grants membership to the new club.

The SFL's media representative IMG, is inviting bids from interested parties, with a closing date of Monday.

The proposed deal includes the opportunity to broadcast all 18 of Rangers' away league matches.

Ross County have been given the green light by the Scottish Premier League to play their home games at Victoria Park.

The Dingwall ground has undergone a £1.4m series of upgrades to bring it up to SPL standards.

County's first season in the top flight kicks off with a home game against Motherwell on 4 August.